Let’s see what are the likes and dislikes of this fantastic female who is also the Ambassador of the Month for EQUAL Pakistan...
you & me
Multi-talented, Natasha Noorani is a musician, festival director and ethnomusicologist from Lahore. Noorani has a diverse range as a singer, songwriter, playback singer and voice-over artist. Since her childhood, Noorani has been passionate about music. “There was a lot of music in the house while I was growing up and my mother encouraged me to sing and perform as a child. I always knew I wanted to be a musician,” says Noorani. “I’ve been making music since I was 14 years old, but I have been actively releasing music and working in the industry since 2016,” she shares. While pursuing contemporary pop music, she has also been training in khayal gayaki, and was awarded the Goethe Talents Scholarship in 2019. Her solo EP ‘Munaasib’ is inspired by R&B, neo-soul, and prog rock. Natasha is part of the band ‘Biryani Brothers’, and has collaborated on recordings with Strings, Sikandar Ka Mandar, Ali Suhail, Talal Qureshi, and Gentle Robot and Jamal Rahman. She has also recorded soundtracks for films ‘Baaji’ (2019) and ‘Chalay Thay Saath’ (2017). These days, Noorani is working on her album ‘Ronaq’. Let’s see what are the likes and dislikes of this fantastic female who is also the Ambassador of the Month for EQUAL Pakistan...
What is your specialised field of singing?
Having been inspired by so much music, I find myself in the realm of RnB, Pop, Neo-soul and Rock.
What is your most memorable concert to-date?
The Boiler Room Pakistan set was a particularly magical one.
How does it feel to be the Ambassador of the Month for EQUAL Pakistan?
I think, in an industry where conventionally female and non-binary musicians are sidelined or boxed in, Spotify’s program EQUAL Pakistan is giving way to independent artists to be showcased to a larger audience. It’s an absolute honour and privilege to share the space with some of my biggest musical inspirations as EQUAL Pakistan’s Ambassador.
How important do you think such initiatives are for women artists of our country?
Initiatives like EQUAL Pakistan are essential to create space, especially digital, that supports more female and non-binary creatives so that they have access to the same opportunities and audiences as their male counterparts.
Tell us about your song that is being featured on the EQUAL Pakistan playlist...
‘Matlabi’ is the third single from my album and is one of the darker tracks on it. It touches upon themes of generational trauma and womanhood.
Top 3 songs in your playlist:
‘Sold’ by Lana Lubany; ‘Hot’ by Liili; ‘Khwaab Sajaye’ by Ifra.
Your favourite international music celebrity:
Nai Palm, an Australian musician from Hiatus Kaiyote band.
Who is your icon in the music industry?
Imran Khan (Dutch-Pakistani singer, song-writer).
What was the role of music in your early years of life?
Music felt like another language I could speak; it helped me communicate and articulate my thoughts when conventional methods weren’t enough.
Who was your favourite rock/jazz/ pop star when you were growing up or in your teens?
I was obsessed with ‘Tool’ and ‘A Perfect Circle’.
What was the first instrument that you learned to play?
Guitar.
Your most irritating habit…
I keep putting my alarm on snooze for at least an hour.
You don’t like people who are…
Rude to service staff.
You are afraid of…
Losing the ability to hear.
Your most valuable possession...
My Pakistani record collection.
Your all-time favourite movie:
‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’.
You are crazy about…
Pakistani music trivia.
Are you a shopaholic?
Only when it comes to online shopping.
What bores you the most?
Excel Sheets.
How do you like to spend your Sundays?
In my pajamas with an endless stream of chai.
What is your favourite tune nowadays?
Persuasive by Doechii.
If you could have a musician tag along with you on tour for a month, who would you choose?
I’d love to tour and play live with Annural Khalid!
Your favourite hangout?
Moon bathing on my terrace.
If you had access to a time machine, which era would you revisit?
I would visit 1970s Karachi or 1920s Calcutta.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
Myself. I just want to always be able to outdo myself.
Do you agree that it is important to learn and understand old music and its history?
Everyone should have basic knowledge of their music heritage especially if learning the craft. Both the music and the context it’s made in can help in the creative process.
Song that always gets you on the dance floor?
Pied Piper by BTS.
What’s the last thing you bought?
A blanket.
What books are on your bedside table?
‘Empires of the Indus’ by Alice Albinia and ‘Film and Cinephilia in Pakistan’ by Ali Nobil Ahmad and Ali Khan.
